Boskalis Subsea Services welcomed the UK Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks, to its Westhill headquarters last week to engage in key discussions around the future of the energy sector in Aberdeen and across the North Sea.
During the visit, Managing Director Stuart Cameron outlined the importance of making the energy industry more attractive to young people considering their career options. Highlighting the continuing opportunities in one of the world’s most mature offshore basins, Cameron stressed that the North Sea still has a vital role to play in the UK’s energy mix.
"The job of a Saturation Diver is physically demanding and requires significant commitment and skill. It’s essential that we inspire and support the next generation to consider this as a rewarding career path,” commented Cameron.
Cameron also urged the Minister to reconsider the government’s stance on halting new drilling in the North Sea, warning of the negative impacts such a policy is already having on the region’s economy and workforce.
The visit included a tour of Boskalis Subsea Services’ state-of-the-art Remote Operations Centre (ROC), which enables part of subsea operations to be carried out from onshore. This not only provides a pathway for those seeking onshore careers within the energy sector but also offers significant operational efficiencies, including real-time communication with offshore vessels and streamlined access to expert input.
Minister Shanks also toured the BOKA Polaris vessel, where he met with a Saturation Diver and experienced the Saturation Chamber firsthand.
Stuart Cameron added: “The Minister’s visit was very welcome. It gave us the opportunity to highlight the critical issues facing both our industry and the Aberdeen region. We remain confident that the North Sea will continue to offer exciting employment opportunities for years to come.”
Neil Gordon, Chief Executive of Global Underwater Hub, echoed this sentiment: “We are committed to supporting the businesses that form the UK’s £9.2billion subsea industry to navigate the energy transition and identify sustainable growth strategies. Conventional and renewable energy production must occur in parallel to sustain the supply chain and ensure that transition is a success for all, including business, the workforce and the nation’s energy security.”
“Government backing of continued oil and gas production is critical to the energy transition, and the recently published environmental guidance will help enable planned projects to progress is a welcome development.”